QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION


  1. Who were the main characters in A Place to Belong? Did you like them? Who was your favorite? Why?
  2. Choose one of the secondary characters and discuss his/her role in the story. What did he/she add to the plot? Was his/her role essential or could anyone have filled it?
  3. Even though her husband has been dead for seven years, Kitty Wainwright can’t move on. Why do you think she reacts this way? Is it grief, fear, or some other emotion that keeps her stuck in the past?
  4. Have you ever known anyone like Kitty? Did that person ever get over his/her grief?
  5. Have you ever lost a loved one? How did you cope?
  6. Jace Carter hides his past but refuses to have his scars removed. Why? What do you think the scars sym bolize?
  7. Jace and Kitty are both stuck in the past. Compare and contrast the two. Then discuss how each one helps the other move forward.
  8. When Donny Babcock arrives in Redemption, why does Jace feel compelled to help him? What would you have done in that situation? Does Scripture obligate a Christian in this way? Can you find a Bible verse to support your answer?
  9. Do you think Donny Babcock was sincere when he claimed to be a Christian? Or was he using this as a con? Site specific instances in the story to support your answer.
  10. Jace applies the parable of reaping and sowing to his past mistakes. Do you believe a person will reap what he sows? What does this mean? Can a sinner ever repay the wrong he’s done? How can someone in Jace’s situation ever feel completely “clean” again?
  11. Redemption is known as a place where hurting people come to heal. Jace lived in the small town for fourteen years and yet, he was still wounded. Why do you suppose that’s true?
  12. Jace’s greatest fear was the revelation of his past mistakes. Was this a legitimate concern? Can a person ever completely shed a sinful past? How would you react if an ex-con moved in next door to you?
  13. Why do you suppose Kitty’s in-laws wanted her to remain single? Why did they feel threatened by Jace? Who did you empathize with, Kitty or the grieving parents? Was there right and wrong on both sides? Discuss.
  14. Was there any part of the story you would change if you could? If so, what was it and how would you change it?
  15. The Scripture verse from Jeremiah 18 is true for this book on several levels. How does it relate to Jace? How does it relate to the career path he chose? Do you see a parallel with Ned Veech as well? What about the broken-heart box GI Jack creates for Kitty?